The halls of Helzak echo with the roars, cheers and fist fights of Slayers. They finish keg after keg as they exchange tales of battle and glory. A few take notice of a newcomer, Slayer Grizzle as he places a Frost Giant head on the table.
So there I bloody was! Up in the middle of nowhere, cold as a Drow's teets I tell ye! Scalin the northern mountain lookin fer a damned worthy death.
Human after blasted Human botherin ol Grizzle, chatherin on an tryin ta steal the Glory! But I press on past ta the gates with nothin but me ale, me axe an a few potions.
After cuttin down giant after bloody giant me arm almost gave out but then it appeared! The finger waggling Frost Giant! Wus so tired I almost fell but then I remembered the arm of Clanggeddin swings me axe so I charged the bastard. The thing almost froze me half ta death but in the end.......*pounds his fist on the oozing giant head*
Many Slayers all raise their mugs in unison, "Short live Giant-Slayer Grizzle!." The drunken Slayers pour out of Kraak Helzak, charging toward a nearby troll cave with a crazed look in their eyes.
Taran Seven, having recently arrived at the merchant stall outside the mine proper in Kraak Helzak, hears the cheers and smiles to himself. He holds up a stein of Dwarven Stout and mumbles to himself, "Short Live Slayer Grizzle!"
Taran Seven - Divine Champion of Garagos Lauren Seven - Swordmaiden looking for a new home (guild)
The bloodthirsty Slayer wanders the entrance of the Nashkel mines, putting every Orog he meets to the grass. As the dwarf takes in an almost inhuman mouthful of ale he notices three figures approach.
Two swordsman, both elven and Human along with another tall shady looking fellow greet the Slayer. Grizzle grits his teeth as he barks out:
*ye sods wish ta rob me of the glory do ye? ye'll have ta step over me corpse ta do it!*
The group surprisingly resilient to the dwarf's rudeness offers to help Grizzle reclaim the mines for a share of the treasure. Grizzle reluctantly agrees.
Duergar after Duergar fall to the swords and axes of the group, Grizzle constantly looking for valuable Ore to bring back to the Slayer-King. The shady fellow proves quite useful at thwarting the barrage of traps laid about the mines. The seemingly endless mines begin to take a toll on the groups endurance, slowing their pace greatly.
Sadly the slow pace was short lived as they are forced to press on, charging past the roaring flames far too close to the only bridge left to cross. Just when they are about to catch their breath they happen upon a giant archway. Before they can even process their surroundings an enormous Pit Fiend barrels toward them while a Succubus laughes in the distance.
This does little to deter the brave group as the swordsman charge in front to keep the fiend at bay while the Slayer interrupts the Succubus with an axe to the chest. The pit fiend twists, flays and smolders as it cuts deeply into the party surrounding him. After a series of distractions and counterattacks the beast finally falls, leaving behind a fine dust and a battered party.
The group raise their weapons in unison and roar at the victory, only to hear the many voices of Duergar and Orog's in the distance. Clearly it will take much more to claim the mines this day. The slayer looks through the fiends personal stash for any valuable metals before charging toward a secret exit the elf had found.
Surprisingly they found themselves back on the surface with no other encounters. As the group part ways Grizzle laughs to himself, realizing he didn't even bother to ask their names. Even so, they certainly proved themselves to the dwarf that day. He hoists his axe on his corded shoulders as he begins the long march north, north to Helzak.
